Deposit Refunded and Tenant

Deposit

My wife called me earlier to tell me we received the EM deposit for the 4-plex. I had this nagging feeling the past week that we wouldn't get it and it'd be hell trying to get back (such is my luck). But I actually had some good news for a change. We are still out the $600 for the inspection, but in the end I'm thankful I got it done as it would have been a very bad lesson learned if I went ahead with the purchase blindly and gotten sued later. ALWAYS get an inspection - ALWAYS.

Tenant

I can't remember if I mentioned this already, but we canceled the sewer account for House #1. This means the tenant will HAVE to set up sewer service herself, or go without sewer AND water. Texas Law has provisions in place to protect the tenant if they are behind on rent, but that's only if the tenant pays the landlord for utilities. In this case, all the utilities for the property are to be managed by the tenant, therefore, I am covered in that aspect. Actually, according to the lady at the sewer office, we should have canceled the service each time we got a new tenant. However, I kept getting mixed signals from them about what to do. Now I know.

I tried calling the sewer office this morning to ask if the tenant ever started service, but never got a response. Last I heard, the sewer office sends the water company their delinquent list today and the water company will then proceed to turn the water off.

I wanted to just go ahead and start the eviction, but my wife wanted to wait. However, I've convinced her that it is in our best interest to go forward. In the interim, I sent the tenant a certified/return-receipt letter explaining her being delinquent on both the late charges and the sewer fees. I've given her until Dec 3rd to bring everything up to date. I didn't tell her the consequences if she doesn't due mainly because Texas Law has some quirkiness as far as the language to use for certain instances. Even when I post a "Notice to Vacate" (the first "official" start of the eviction), I cannot use the word 'eviction' in the notice.